Why pay ETF or MF fees when you can invest directly in the companies that have been increasing dividends for 25+ years?

This was my initial reaction too, but if you have only a modest amount of money the brokerage fees you are charge to buy all the stocks in the first place will deplete your capital, and, if you only have a small amount to invest it can be a significant piece of the pie; those fees are fixed and don't change depending on whether you buy one share, or a thousand.

Hi there my name is Gary and fairly new to fool but have almost quit chasing stocks, but love anything above 10%, dividend especially the monthly dividend stocks, like ARR. I have the feeling that soon REIT's won't be the leaders, I am into Healthare but would like your opinion on the next investments you are looking into ?

Hi there my name is Gary and fairly new to fool but have almost quit chasing stocks, but love anything above 10%, dividend especially the monthly dividend stocks, like ARR. I have the feeling that soon REIT's won't be the leaders, I am into Healthare but would like your opinion on the next investments you are looking into ?